Toluwani Lasisi
Robert Lewandowski nodded in a second-half winner as Barcelona came from behind to beat Real Sociedad and top the La Liga table.
With the scores locked at 1-1 Barca manager Hansi Flick brought on Ballon d’Or runner-up Lamine Yamal in the 58th minute.
Just seconds later the 18-year-old beat a defender before hitting in a perfect cross which an unmarked Lewandowski headed in.
Real Sociedad had taken a shock lead in the 31st minute on the counter-attack when Alvaro Odriozola slid in to turn home Ander Barrenetxea’s low cross.
But the hosts levelled two minutes before half-time when defender Jules Kounde met Marcus Rashford’s corner with a thumping header.
Marcus Rashford had another fine game for the hosts, regularly carving out chances down the left and had dipping shots well saved by Sociedad keeper Alex Remiro either side of half-time.
The Manchester United loanee was brought off in the 78th minute with Flick presumably having one eye on his side’s Champions League tie with Paris St-Germain on Wednesday.
Sociedad had a late opportunity to level after Kounde dawdled and had the ball pinched off him, but Takefusa Kubo was unable to finish off the move, instead clattering the crossbar.
About 30 seconds later, Barca went up the other end with Yamal setting up Ferran Torres who found Lewandowski, but it hit the pole
Ultimately though, the miss wasn’t costly as the defending champions held on for their sixth win in seven league matches and move a point clear of Real Madrid, who lost 5-2 at Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
